Driving Open Environmental Insights and Impact
The Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data (SEED) portal was established in 2016 to address the community need for access to environmental data supporting informed decision-making and to build public trust in government decisions. The initiative stemmed from two key independent reviews: The 2014 Independent Review of Coal Seam Gas Activities by the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, which recommended a Whole of Environment Data Repository and the 2014 NSW Biodiversity Legislative Review, which called for a whole-of-government biodiversity portal.
SEED exemplifies the NSW Government's Open Data Policy by serving as the primary public access point for government environmental data and integrating diverse non-governmental data. By being 'open by default’, adhering to international metadata standards, spatial data frameworks, and best-practice data governance principles to ensure data is reliable and fit for purpose.
The SEED portal has been built on three pillars:
- interoperability via open APIs for data distributions
- accessibility across the public, government agencies such as DPI and DPHI, numerous local councils, private sector and research institutions
- reliability in data quality, management and sharing
Each of these pillars is delivered using a continuous improvement approach to adapt to evolving user needs, ensuring SEED remains relevant and effective so that great decisions are made for the people of NSW with easy to find, current and trusted environmental data.
Achievements
By consolidating environmental data, SEED fulfils strategic and legislative requirements as the primary access point for over six thousand environmental datasets. Moreover, it supports collaborative efforts and provides insights to inform decision-making. This has resulted in its recognition in studies involving over 120 stakeholders as a trusted and credible source of environmental insights, supporting collaboration and evidence-based decision-making.
With exponential growth averaging 75% annually and a monthly user base of 21,000, SEED has been cited in over 420 research papers, government reports, and audits, with its data contributing to obligations under more than 62 legislative and policy frameworks. It enables critical outcomes in environmental assessments, mining exploration and rehabilitation, and fosters innovative interactions with the State’s natural environment, driving recreational and economic benefits.
Engagement
This project has involved:
- Department of Premier and Cabinet
- NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Transport for NSW
- NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
- Local Government
- Industry, Consultancies, Research Institutions, NGO’s and citizens
- Technical vendors
Department leading the project
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water